Dimitrenko Still On World Title Course

After his surgery due to an injury on his left elbow from his last fight on September 24th, heavyweight Alexander Dimitrenko is on a good road of recovery.

Dimitrenko’s adviser Volker Michael Gruber reported: “Alexander is fine after his surgery. We organized a perfect rehab for him with our team. He works every day with his therapists to get back in the ring. His ambition and his will to be a world champion is still unbroken. I didn’t see him this determined in a long time.”

The German boxer should have defended his European title on December 3 against his mandatory challenger from Finland Robert Helenius. Because of his injury Dimitrenko cannot fight on this date. The European-Box-Union had to respond on the title situation. Therefore Robert Helenius (16-0 (11 KO)) and British boxer Dereck Chisora (15-1 (9 KO)) will now fight for Dimitrenko’s EBU title. The winner has to take on the actual champion Dimitrenko (32-1 (21 KO)) within the next 120 days.

“I want to defend my title in the ring, of course. But the decision from the EBU not really surprises me," said Dimitrenko. "I was injured in my last fight and now after my surgery I´m on the best way to get back in the ring, but not as soon as December 3rd, 2011. They react compliant and they offer me to get my title back in early 2012. The two boys are just at the beginning on their career. The better of them is allowed to pin my title for a few month in his living room. Next year I´ll get my title back.“.

The 29 year old and 6“7 heavyweight is high in the world rankings. He´s the No. 2 by the WBC and also by the WBO and is hunting for the Klitschko brother´s titles. The latest rankings set him on a great position for a title shot, as well. Dimitrenko is ranked No. 6 by the WBA and No. 7 by the IBF.

"The situation with the EBU is similar to when the WBC set in Vitali Klitschko as “Champion Emeritus” due to his back injury. As soon as Alexander is fit again he´ll fight for his title against the winner of Helenis-Chisora. It´s like a mandatory defense for him. Moreover the EBU title is one thing – a world title is a complete other. You cannot have both of it. It is an important step on the route for a world title. Now Chisora and Helenius will fight for Alexander´s title. These two guys are still new in this business and they have a combinate record with less fights and KO wins than Alexander, who is a pro now for 10 years in Germany.

"Sure it will be an entertaining fight between the two boys in Helsinki. Helenius fought a few ´over-the-hill´ ex-champions and they let him look good. Dereck is a former sparring partner of Alexander, we know him and he´s a hot blooded fighter for sure. But he don´t look good against Tyson Fury. Both guys are not on the same level like Dimitrenko. They don´t have the same experience and the steady technique like Alexander. We´ll go our way and the big goal is not to rule ´only´ Europe. We want to rule the world in heavyweight boxing. A title fight against one of the Klitschkos is our first priority.

"Alexander will be ready in 2012 to replace the Klitschkos as the new world champion. In my opinion a fight against Vitali will be a great event in Germany. If he´ll get back his EBU title on the way to becoming a world champion it will be a great bonus in his career.” said adviser Gruber.


November 15, 2011